Feeling out of place in a new job working for an exclusive investigation company, Frank Behr protects his prominent client from an assassination attempt that raises his suspicions when the Indianapolis police force tries to cover up the incident.

Frank decides to investigate on his own since he’s suspicious as to why his boss and the police are covering it up. Of course Frank will get into trouble with his boss, the police, and his girlfriend for this. The story switches between what Frank is doing and what the assassin is doing. There are some interesting twists, suspense, action and some interesting details about working for a security firm. I thought this was a good read and I’ll look for others by this author. ( )

Taking a last minute protection detail from a colleague, ex Indianapolis cop and former P.I. Frank Behr doesn't know what he's letting himself in for. Now working for the Caro group , a security firm, Frank spends most of his working days at a desk, compiling security checks for contracted firms and organisations. He's bored to tears but circumstances and a pregnant girlfriend don't leave him too many other options. The security detail turns out to be a lot less routine that it should have been and he's ambushed in an underground car park by a lone shooter with some very fancy weaponry. Frank foils the hit but the shooter gets away... and beyond a lot of pats on the back nobody seems to want to investigate. Now this is where I have my only quibble with the book. Motivation. Frank's motivation. Usually the plot dictates that the protagonist has to take the case or bad things are going to happen to them as a result. This one has nothing of the sort. In fact it's quite clear from the outset that poking your nose into things is going to cost you at the very least your job, and it's going to paint targets on your back, your girlfriend's back and one for that little unborn life too. He's confronted several times and asked just what are his motivations and the best he can offer are vague notions of things being personal and even just outright boredom. Maybe, as somebody suggests, he's just a glory hound.
Other than that the book is very entertaining; a twisty corporate shenanigans plot, a lethal Welsh hitman, lots of action and a hero who won't lie down. This is the third in David Levien's series featuring Frank Behr and my copy was titled The Contract even though it's previously been published as 13 Million Dollar Pop, though I guess that doesn't translate too well outside the States.
Review from an advanced readers copy. ( )

Frank Behr is a relatively new employe at the Caro Group, private investigators and security consultants.

He's filling in for a friend at work and providing security for a real estate developer, Bernard Kolodnik. This was supposed to be an easy job but someone tries to kill Kolodnik but Frank is able to save him.

Frank is praised for saving Kolodnik but he wants answers. When Frank asks about the official investigation, he's stonewalled.

The book describes a real estate deal with a big payoff at the end. Kolodnik's campaign manager had put Kolodnik and the developer together and in return, he was supposed to get 13 million dollars when the development was sold. However, the economy and other factors stalled the development. Now that Kolodnik is a political official, he leaves his personal business dealings behind.

The author describes Frank's goal of solving the crime and his bull dog determination to complete the job. He also shows his tender side when dealing with his girlfriend, Susan, as she approaches the delivery date for their first child. In addition, Frank has a side that shows that he helps other people when they are being unfairly treated, as when he helps his boss who was in a serious family situation.

The pacing of the novel is masterful. After the shooting at the start of the story, things slow down as the author gives us background information. Then parts of the story come together like a hurricane and the action continues as suspense builds up.

The characters stand out in the story and are fully drawn. It is as if we know them and can easily visualize them.

This is one of the best mysteries of the year and shouldn't be missed. ( )